Chapter 8 – The Beast's Calling

They met on the roof. Dinner had been a celebration for everyone. But it had been the right kind. A celebration of joy. And no one had even mentioned weddings. Ranma had been touched by what his father had asked Akane but then he knew that there was more to his father than he had ever thought. And yet despite the happiness, there were still so many issues to resolve.

They met on the roof as usual that night. Ranma was already there when Akane jumped up. She sat down beside him and he smiled up at her. He reached for her hand and she smiled.

"Akane?" his voice was hesitant.

"Yes?"

"Do you... love me?" He felt so unsure of himself as he asked her.

"I don't know Ranma. I care a lot about you and maybe we can build something good. But I need time for it all," her voice was gentle like she was giving him hope.

"Okay 'Kane," They were silent for a while and then he slowly said,

"I love you Akane, I want you to know that. I want to be by your side in everything that you do."

"Ranma," her eyes were wide as she stared at him and he pulled her to him, settling her between his legs and letting his arms encircle her. He dropped his chin on her shoulder as she leaned back into his chest. She fit him perfectly.

"What is it Akane?" he asked as she smiled.

"Us. It had been so long and now we are so different, Ranma. I know this Ranma but this Ranma has always been only my friend," she tried to explain.

"I know Akane, let's just take one step at a time. Let it come, we won't speed up any step. We'll just move along as it comes," he replied soothingly and he did soothe her spirit. He did have the answers. And she liked his answers. And she wanted to try his answers.

Ranma looked down at the girl between his arms and smiled. He was going to have to fight for her. But she had always given him the courage to fight. And now as she sat between his arms, he vowed that one day, she would be in his life for good. He would teach her to love him again. He would stand by her and one day maybe she would love him as much as he loved her. Oh Akane, don't you know that there is nothing we can't do as long as we're together. His arms tightened around her and slowly she fell asleep in their safe cocoon.

All her life, Ukyo had wanted only Ranma. It had always been him. He had always been her friend and for so long he had been her fiancée. And now he thought he could just waltz in here and end it all by repaying her dowry. What about the life that she gave away for him? What about the love that she had for him? No, this was not the end. She would not let it be the end! – the thoughts went on and on in her mind and she clenched her fists as she thought about it.

Shampoo sat staring at the wall and felt the fury that she had felt since Ranma had showed up rise in her again. How dare he! She had come here and she had stayed, she had followed and manipulated and she had swallowed her pride so often! Just for him! And it had been all for nothing! No, she would make him come back with her! She would not let him go just like that! He would be her husband! She was an Amazon after all and she would succeed. Amazons did not fail and pride made her lift her head and stand up.

It was time to find out what was really going on – Shampoo decided. Cologne was no longer here, she had gone back to China to try to find a solution with the elders. But Shampoo would find a solution right here. She slipped out of the door making sure Mousse did not notice that she had left and went to the Tendos. They had just finished breakfast. She found herself staring at a sight that she had never seen before. Ranma was standing talking to Akane, her hand in his and she was giggling up to him. She teeth clenched and a venomous hiss next to her made her turn instinctively towards the sound. Ukyo was in the same tree, in the Tendo backyard. Her appearance mirrored Shampoo's as rage and pain radiated from her being. She acknowledged Shampoo with a nod. They both jumped lightly from the tree to land on the wall before disappearing on the streets. Their path led them to Ucchan's. Shampoo had shaken her head when they had taken the path to the Nekohanten and had let out only one word, "Mousse!"

Ukyo banged the door shut behind them and swore. Shampoo barely lifted her head to look at Ukyo. Instead she murmured, "Revenge! Now we have revenge!"

Ucchan was closed for the day as Shampoo and Ukyo discussed their options and finally the plan was made and the two girls stared at each other and nodded.

Somewhere along the day, they had forsaken the life that had once been theirs. They had forsaken their friends and all that had ever been. They forgot their values and their ideals. What both wanted now and what both would have was Ranma. At any cost. And the final battle would be between the two of them and the one who survived would be the one to have Ranma.

The days slipped and the Tendos and the Saotomes were gently lulled into feeling that everything would be fine. Then came the day when Akane left. The whole family went to the station to say good-bye to Akane. Genma and Soun hugged Akane and murmured the same "Be careful." Kasumi smiled tearfully and reminded Akane that they were right here for her and to take care of herself. Nabiki pulled her in a hard hug and murmured in her ear, "Be careful sis. And take care of yourself. If you need anything, you know on which door to knock," she finished with a smile. Kuno and Tofu both gave her a hug, told her to take care of herself and to call if she needed anything. Akane finally turned to Ranma. He smiled and lifted a hand to push back a stray lock of hair from her face. She looked at him and thought about how much he had changed. He was so different. So confident in the things he felt, so sure of his love and whenever he took her in his arms, she melted. He lifted a typically-Nabiki brow as she blushed and pulled her to him.

"What is it that is making you blush?" he smiled devilishly and she grinned back.

"I was thinking about how much I liked being held by you," she replied jauntily and he laughed before pulling her into a hard embrace. His arms tightened around her and he buried his face into her hair, breathing in her scent before pulling back. He lifted her chin and stared. Stared so long that Akane blushed again.

"What is it?" she finally asked.

"I'm just thinking what a fool I am to let you go," he smiled sadly, "And I'm wondering how the hell the guys at the institute will resist you," he added jokingly.

She reached up to touch his jaw and he dropped his head and kissed her.

"Go Akane. Go, before I decide to keep you here," he grinned but there was so much sadness in his eyes that her heart clenched.

"I'll be here next weekend Ranma. And... I care a lot for you," she hugged him and then she was running to the train and waving back at him.

He watched her go and smiled for her, "I love you Akane." The wind swept away the words but he could have sworn that she heard them as she turned to him and her tear-filled eyes met his as the train whistled happily and noisily started out of the station.

The family went home then and Genma and Soun went back to their Go board, Kasumi disappeared in the kitchen with Tofu helping her and Nabiki went for a walk with Kuno. Each in their own way was trying to forget that there was someone missing from their midst. Ranma wandered alone to Akane's room. He pushed the door open and stared at the yellow room. It was the same and yet it seemed so bare. So bare without her, just like he was feeling, so alone. He stepped into her room and he could smell her. He could see her and he could hear her voice. He had told himself that he would be strong, that he would live on until she came back and he would try, he would try until it killed him. He went to her bed and curled up, snuggling down in her scent and remembering all those times he had slipped into her room and tried to threaten P-Chan out. He had got booted out each time. P-Chan was gone today and now Akane had left. But she would be back, he reminded himself. And slowly, he fell asleep. That was how Kasumi found him when she came to call him for dinner and she let him sleep on. From then on, he spent his nights in her bed. It was the only way for him to find sleep.

The next day both Ranma and Akane found themselves for the first time at the university. The day was an utter confusion for both of them. But where Akane tackled each of her activities with joy and excitement, Ranma just did what needed to be done. In every crowd he saw her, he heard her voice calling to him and each time he turned away. Akane was not here, he kept reminding himself. The week slowly dragged by for Ranma and slipped easily by for Akane. She had made friends, she had new activities and her courses were fascinating. He worked and concentrated all day long, spent lunch either with Nabiki or Kuno or else Daisuke whom he had been glad to see. Still there were times when Akane would see something exciting and the cry that would rise to her lips would always be, "Ranma, look!" and then she would realize that he was not here and she would smile ruefully. The nights were harder when she wanted so much to feel his arms around her and his deep voice lulling her to sleep. She had never felt so safe, so happy, so special as she was next to him. She had never felt loved as he made her feel, she acknowledged truthfully to herself. Yes he makes me feel loved – she thought slowly – and I am falling in love with him. Him, a man, my friend. And no longer the boy that she had once loved so much and let go of. No longer the one who feared to speak of what he felt, now there was a man proud to love and fearless in his love. And it bowled her over. His faith in his feelings shook her to the core, made her want to reach out, made her want to touch him, made her want to hold him.

Yes, he had changed and so had she. She smiled as the thoughts slipped by and smiled again when she thought that she would be seeing tomorrow afternoon.

The train whistled as it came to a stop. Akane pressed through the crowds, butterflies fluttering in her stomach as she thought of seeing him again. Ranma stood on the platform with Nabiki scanning the crowds. He clenched and unclenched his fists trying to quell his nerves. And then he saw her, she was getting down the train. His heart soared and shouted, "Akane!" and she heard his silent shout as her head lifted and her eyes fell on him. Then she was running, running to him and he was running to her, grabbing her and swirling her around as she laughed and he laughed with her. He crushed her to him, breathed her in and she melted into him. As she had always done. As only she could. His mouth found hers and as people jostled away around them, both knew only that they were together again, that they held each other again. Nabiki cleared her throat after a few minutes but nothing changed, she touched Akane's shoulder and still no reaction. She clamped her hand down on Akane's shoulder and gave a violent shake. Akane seem to arise from deep slumber and slowly she smiled at her sister.

"Hi sis, you're here too," the words were drawled out slowly.

"Yes, you finally noticed," Nabiki drawled out too with saccharine sarcasm.

"Sorry sis," she grinned an apology and hugged Nabiki as Ranma finally managed to drag his attention back and took Akane's small bag.

Together they walked out of the station and stopped by Kuno's car.

"Where's Kuno?" Akane asked looking around.

"His house," Nabiki replied flippantly, already opening the door and sliding into the driving seat.

"Oh cool, he lets you borrow his car," came Akane's happy exclamation.

"Borrow? Oh sister dear, what is his is mine," she shot back and starting the car, she hit the accelerator making Akane shriek joyfully and Ranma yell,

"Slow down Nabiki! You're gonna end up killing us all!"

"Remarkable breath control both of you have," was her only reply and Ranma promptly shut up.

A meter away from where they had been, Shampoo slipped out from her hiding place and stared at the disappearing car. Their happiness made fury rage in her as she clenched her fists. Then slowly she opened them as a malicious smile slowly grew on her face and she walked away, a vibrant beautiful woman but a child started to cry as he jerked his gaze from hers. Soon, she whispered to herself, soon.

My Notes :

Chapter 8 done but there are others to come.

Don't worry you'll know when it is the end ^_-

Thanks everyone for the reviews and suggestions.

Don't worry all those who thought that "the fiancées" ended just too easy; I don't think that things can ever be this easy where emotions are concerned.

Thanks Patirick, I'll try to let less mistakes go by and correct those u sent me :o)